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vrobx1 · 01-10-2018, 12:45 PM

Reno was a culture of losing.

You stayed there long enough and the desire to win was slowly sapped out of you.

In Miami, we had a much different issue.

We had a power struggle going on.

Between our manager and Sandy Alomar.

An issue made worse by the fact that so many players, myself included, saw Sandy as a team leader.

And to increase the tension, some of the pitchers were crediting Sandy for the fact that we had the best starters ERA in the Florida League.

It was my turn to pitch.

We had won four in a row since my last start. We were still 5.5 behind the Yankees.

And, once again, Westomreland, and not Sandy, would be my catcher.

Coach Green confirmed it was because of our manager.

He even went so far as to say that our manager had contacted the parent office and requested a better team leader than Sandy be sent to Miami.

I had done real well with John behind the plate so I didn't argue but on the inside I was really having a hard time believing in Muhammed Ali Whatshisname.

If he couldn't hold this team together, then that was on him.

It sure looked like he was trying to pass the buck to Sandy.

The first inning was a little rough. They got a run on three hits and it might have been worse but Westmoreland threw out two attempts at stealing second base.

Darrin Duffy hit a three run homer in the bottom of the first and we were up 3-1.

The Phillies stranded a runner at third in the top of the second.

I was struggling with control tonight. Getting behind in the count. Forcing me to throw balls they could hit.

I picked the runner of first in the top of the third after a one out single.

Despite my shakiness, we were still up 3-1.

I got behind 3-1 twice in the fourth and gave up a hit and a walk but, again, the Phillies failed to push the runners across, stranding them on the corners.

I was already up to 66 pitches.

At this pace, I would probably be pulled by the eighth inning.

I really needed a good inning and I got a three up three down fifth. But it took eleven pitches to get the final hitter out as he fouled off five of them.

The sixth went even better.

But I was at 92 pitches.

And, after the first, our offense had completely disappeared.

That changed in the bottom of the sixth when Westmoreland got an RBI single to make it 4-1.

I'd had two straight innings where I had set them down in order.

Time for the seventh inning.

A leadoff double.

Sacrifice bunt.

A flyball. Caught. Tagging up. Throw home.

He's got him!

CRASH!

And the ball came loose!

And the run would count.

It was now 4-2.

And I really wanted to drill someone in the kidney for that.

But instead I got the next batter to groundout to retire the side.

I stormed into the dugout.

"I want someone to make sure we pour on some runs this inning!"

Manuel DelRosario led off with a double but no one else could get the ball out of the infield and he was stranded at third.

The Phillies got a scratch hit in the top of the eighth but he never got past first.

I was given the word. John Githens would pitch the ninth.

He gave up a leadoff walk and then shut them down.

We won 4-2.

The winning streak was at five games.

I was satisfied with the win.

As we left the ballpark, Cheryl was waiting outside.

Oh no....

She wrapped me in a hug around my neck.

"Great job."

And then planted a kiss on my lips.

I do not need this!

I do not need this at all!

01-10-2018, 12:45 PM	#86
vrobx1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 3,430	Reno was a culture of losing. You stayed there long enough and the desire to win was slowly sapped out of you. In Miami, we had a much different issue. We had a power struggle going on. Between our manager and Sandy Alomar. An issue made worse by the fact that so many players, myself included, saw Sandy as a team leader. And to increase the tension, some of the pitchers were crediting Sandy for the fact that we had the best starters ERA in the Florida League. It was my turn to pitch. We had won four in a row since my last start. We were still 5.5 behind the Yankees. And, once again, Westomreland, and not Sandy, would be my catcher. Coach Green confirmed it was because of our manager. He even went so far as to say that our manager had contacted the parent office and requested a better team leader than Sandy be sent to Miami. I had done real well with John behind the plate so I didn't argue but on the inside I was really having a hard time believing in Muhammed Ali Whatshisname. If he couldn't hold this team together, then that was on him. It sure looked like he was trying to pass the buck to Sandy. The first inning was a little rough. They got a run on three hits and it might have been worse but Westmoreland threw out two attempts at stealing second base. Darrin Duffy hit a three run homer in the bottom of the first and we were up 3-1. The Phillies stranded a runner at third in the top of the second. I was struggling with control tonight. Getting behind in the count. Forcing me to throw balls they could hit. I picked the runner of first in the top of the third after a one out single. Despite my shakiness, we were still up 3-1. I got behind 3-1 twice in the fourth and gave up a hit and a walk but, again, the Phillies failed to push the runners across, stranding them on the corners. I was already up to 66 pitches. At this pace, I would probably be pulled by the eighth inning. I really needed a good inning and I got a three up three down fifth. But it took eleven pitches to get the final hitter out as he fouled off five of them. The sixth went even better. But I was at 92 pitches. And, after the first, our offense had completely disappeared. That changed in the bottom of the sixth when Westmoreland got an RBI single to make it 4-1. I'd had two straight innings where I had set them down in order. Time for the seventh inning. A leadoff double. Sacrifice bunt. A flyball. Caught. Tagging up. Throw home. He's got him! CRASH! And the ball came loose! And the run would count. It was now 4-2. And I really wanted to drill someone in the kidney for that. But instead I got the next batter to groundout to retire the side. I stormed into the dugout. "I want someone to make sure we pour on some runs this inning!" Manuel DelRosario led off with a double but no one else could get the ball out of the infield and he was stranded at third. The Phillies got a scratch hit in the top of the eighth but he never got past first. I was given the word. John Githens would pitch the ninth. He gave up a leadoff walk and then shut them down. We won 4-2. The winning streak was at five games. I was satisfied with the win. As we left the ballpark, Cheryl was waiting outside. Oh no.... She wrapped me in a hug around my neck. "Great job." And then planted a kiss on my lips. I do not need this! I do not need this at all!